Transcript Highlights:

• would be the best one for this, but are you aware that there was accommodation in the governor's budget
• ...one for this, but are you aware that there was accommodation in the governor's budget for $2.5 million
• The enacted budget last year included funding to increase child care centers to the 85th percentile of
• Governor Ferguson's proposed budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated funding authority from
• If continued efforts to balance the district's budget are unsuccessful, a financial oversight committee

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the mortgage lending fraud prosecution surcharge on recorded deeds of trust from $1 to $5 and remove the 2027 sunset on the surcharge and account. Committee staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors; King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys testified in strong support, saying the current funding has eroded and the bill would better sustain mortgage fraud prosecutions. A question was raised about whether other budget funding could serve a similar purpose, but supporters said the dedicated surcharge/account structure was the best fit. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study in addition to the market rate survey. Testifiers from Child Care Aware of Washington, child care providers, and the early education design team supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the true cost of providing quality care. Staff said the bill would have a small fiscal impact for DCYF. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 5834 and Senate Bill 5835, both Department of Retirement Systems request bills: one would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses beyond the 2025-27 biennium, and the other would raise the threshold for lump-sum payment of small monthly benefits from $50 to $250. Neither bill drew public testimony, and staff said the fiscal impacts were minimal. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which would create the Pre-K Promise Account for ECAP funding and allow gifts, grants, and donations to be used solely to expand the program. Supporters including rural health coalitions, the Balmer Group, and Snohomish County said the account would help expand access to early learning, especially in child care deserts; DCYF estimated staffing costs to administer the account. Substitute Senate Bill 6007 would direct WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a reported cost of about $234,000; there was no public testimony. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019 would clarify home care agency rate-setting and require that no more than 20% of Medicaid home care rates go to administrative costs, with DSHS saying there would be no fiscal impact. Labor and caregiver witnesses supported it as a parity and accountability measure. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education representative supported the bill, and staff said OSPI would incur only modest administrative costs. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are two dashboard metrics where we monitor whether we are on budget with our construction costs
• There are two dashboard metrics where we monitor are we on budget with our construction costs.
• , because you can see on this graph that about 90% of our budget goes to contract construction on the
• The governor recommends ITD's program maintenance budget at $938 million, and another $94 million to
• We have growing communities, but we also have budget constraints on our revenues.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the January 20 minutes by voice vote. It then received a lengthy update from Idaho Transportation Department Director Scott Stokes, who described ITD’s responsibilities, staffing, major highway and bridge projects, funding sources, safety efforts, workforce challenges, and innovation programs. He highlighted the use of bond and TECM funding to accelerate modernization projects, the department’s performance dashboard, emergency response work, and initiatives such as Skip the Trip and winter driving classes. Members asked about long-term funding adequacy, freeway and work-zone safety, and project timelines, including a Highway 55 project near Banks. The committee then introduced RS 32984, which would eliminate the requirement for registration stickers on license plates and treat a valid plate and registration as sufficient. Supporters said the stickers are often unreadable or unnecessary and estimated the change could save about $300,000. The motion to introduce passed by voice vote. Next, the committee introduced RS 32869, a driver’s education bill that would allow parents to teach driver education while also preserving school-based programs; members discussed safety in urban areas and the potential fiscal impact of Idaho Digital Learning Alliance enrollment costs. The motion to introduce also passed. Finally, the committee introduced RS 32834, a proof-of-identity cleanup bill intended to streamline DMV processes by combining identity information for out-of-state customers. It also introduced RS 32841 C1, which updates vehicle registration fee and tax distribution rules, removes obsolete language from prior legislation, and increases the local bridge inspection fund transfer from $175,000 to $300,000 to help draw down federal matching funds. Both motions passed by voice vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >>> THE STATE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER.
• THIS IS WHERE THE BUDGET COMES INTO PLAY.
• THERE WAS A BUDGET AMENDMENT SO THESE NUMBERS REFLECT THAT MOVE SO THAT IS THE BUDGET AS IT SITS TODAY
• CHANGES TO THE BUDGET. CHANGES TO THE SCOPE. THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
• AS WE GO FORWARD WE START LOOKING TO OUR BUDGET.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cool, I'll move on to the last item that was on the agenda, and that was FY27 budget to talk about.
• So as you all know, FY27 budget agreement deal was done very early this year.
• We did not get notified or have any way to know that that was how the budgets were being reflected because
• the budget we submitted still was a request for $1.8 million last year.
• That was just a budget breakdown.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This ties back to the budget from last year when we appropriated $5 million to the Department of Economic
• This ties back to the budget from last year when we appropriated $5 million to the Department of Economic
• House Joint Resolution 31 ties back to the budget from last year when we appropriated $5 million to the
• There should be budgets. I don't want sure no very well stand in recess for a second.
• There should be budgets. I don't want sure no very well stand in recess for a second.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:02 HJR 31 Discussion 00:00:30 HJR 31 Vote 00:00:45 HJR 53 Discussion 00:01:25 HJR 53 Vote 00:02:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered two items tied to prior budget appropriations. The first was House Joint Resolution 31, described as relating to a $5 million appropriation to the Department of Economic Development from the previous year’s budget. Senator Boswell moved approval, Senator Maiden seconded, and the resolution passed on a roll call vote with all members voting aye. The second item was House Joint Resolution 53, which would release design funds for Kentucky State University’s Health Services Center project. Members discussed the amount, with one senator estimating it at about $5.3 million, though the resolution did not specify a dollar figure. Several members expressed concern that they had not met with Kentucky State University and did not have enough detail about the project or the underlying budget, and one member said he wanted to see more sustained improvement from the university before supporting the measure. After the roll call began, multiple members changed their votes from aye to no. The chair noted that the measure failed by a vote of three ayes to five noes. No other business was taken up, though the chair said another committee meeting might be held later that day and members should watch for an announcement from the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• :34:38.280><c> fiduciary</c> understand that budget and fiduciary understand that budget and fiduciary
• </c> and we do not want to balance the budget and we do not want to balance the budget on<00:34:44.280
• ,</c> next budget, next budget, we<00:34:57.359><c> we</c><00:34:57.520><c> can</c><00:34:57.720><c>
• can maintain budget cuts across we we can maintain budget cuts across the<00:34:59.440><c> system.
• </c><01:02:04.760><c> change</c> there will be probably a budget change there will be probably a budget

Bills: HF4491, HF4338, HF4288, HF4566

Keywords: Medical Assistance, Medicaid, prepayment review, claims review, fee-for-service, provider integrity, high-risk provider, high-risk service, fraud prevention, program integrity, Department of Human Services, CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, health care billing, medical claims, provider enrollment, Indian Health Service, Minnesota Statutes chapter 256B, human services, medical assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, Director Salivia with the Department of Budget and Finance.
• Next up, Director Salivia with the Department of Budget and Finance.
• Next up, Director Salivia with the Department of Budget and Finance.
• Yes, we understand there are short-term budget constraints, but a budget should also reflect the state
• constraints but a are short-term budget constraints but a budget<01:18:00.760><c> should</c><01:18:01.000

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on Water and Land heard testimony on HB 504, a measure relating to environmental stewardship and funding for natural resource protection and restoration. Supporters included multiple state agencies and advocacy groups, such as DLNR, HTA, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resources Legacy Fund, the Hawaiʻi Climate Action Coalition, and others, who said the bill would create dedicated funding for environmental, climate, and cultural resource needs and help address wildfire, flood, coastal storm, and tourism-related impacts. Several witnesses emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s environmental funding gap is large and that visitor contributions should be directed to stewardship and restoration. Some supporters also urged that the measure be applied equitably across all visitor accommodations and related uses, including cruise ship cabins and state rooms, while a few suggested amendments to broaden coverage or create a working group for implementation. Opposition and concerns focused largely on the bill’s tax structure and legal/administrative issues. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation questioned the reimbursable general obligation bond special fund in part two, suggesting it be converted to a regular special fund or deleted. The Attorney General’s office said part two may violate the single-subject rule in the state constitution and recommended deleting it. The Department of Taxation said the proposed points-and-miles language would be difficult to audit and enforce, and Expedia and others said the proposed tax treatment of loyalty points and certain payment forms would be operationally difficult. Industry witnesses also warned the bill could raise costs in a high-tax destination and asked for more marketing support if the tax is increased. The committee also heard concerns that a new tax on cruise ship cabins could raise federal preemption issues. The chair noted the testimony count as 23 in support, 179 in opposition, and one with comments. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the hearing ended with questions from senators and agency responses about possible amendments, enforcement, and constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• The vote budget to reduce the tax rate.
• </c> explain budget expenses. explain budget expenses.
• The impetus of the general fund budget.
• budget expenses another thing?
• budget expenses another thing?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Quote, 'We have the money in our budget.
• Quote, 'We have the money in our budget.
• Quote, 'We have the money in our budget.
• ,</c><00:30:57.679><c> the</c> closed but is still in the budget, the closed but is still in the budget
• So I am a no on both us in our budget.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee is called to order.
• Senator Harrell, we have received the Senate's counteroffer on budget and projects.
• It is both the budget and the projects.
• This concludes the Higher Education Budget Conference Committee meeting.
• This concludes the Higher Education Budget Conference Committee meeting.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee is called to order.
• Senator Harrell, we have received the Senate's counteroffer on budget and projects.
• It is both the budget and the projects.
• This concludes the Higher Education Budget Conference Committee meeting.
• This concludes the Higher Education Budget Conference Committee meeting.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee met to continue negotiations on the higher education budget, projects, and proviso language. Senator Harrell presented the Senate’s counteroffer on the budget and projects, noting that changes from the original budget and project lists were highlighted in the packet, and said the Senate was ready to keep working toward agreement. The House presented its first proviso offer, focused on items that differed most from the chambers’ starting positions, and said it would review the Senate’s proposal. No public testimony was offered, and members did not raise questions or comments during the meeting. Both sides expressed optimism about continued progress and a desire to conclude negotiations soon. The committee took no substantive votes or actions on the merits of the offers. Representative Young moved to adjourn, and the meeting was concluded with notice that the committee remains on one-hour call.

Transcript Highlights:

• The last thing I want to share: it's budget season right now, and there is still a need for money for
• But the governor did a good job of including some of that in her budget, and so we won't necessarily
• We need to fund all of the organizations with a robust budget.
• We need to fund all of the organizations with a robust budget. The community level to solve that.
• We need to fund all of the organizations with a robust budget.

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression met to reopen its work for the year, confirm attendance, and note several membership transitions, including the departure of Beth Buxton, Nekah Hall, and Dr. Lisa Scarfo. Senator Miranda stepped down as co-chair, and Senator Adam Gomez was welcomed as the new Senate co-chair. Both outgoing and incoming leaders spoke about the importance of the commission’s work, the need for continued advocacy on maternal mental health, and personal losses that have shaped their commitment to the issue. Members discussed priorities for the coming year, including implementation of the maternal health omnibus law, publicizing upcoming maternal health events, and improving information-sharing through a biweekly digest. Several commissioners raised concerns about the closure of birthing centers and inpatient obstetric units, workforce shortages in obstetrics and midwifery, and the need to preserve or expand training slots and federal matching opportunities. Others emphasized the need to strengthen community-based perinatal mental health supports, including Moms Do Care and First Steps Together, and to increase funding beyond the $220,000 appropriated for community organizations. The commission also heard updates from the Division of Insurance and the Department of Public Health about regulatory and reimbursement issues, including a new community of learning for payers, mental health exam reimbursement guidance, and concerns about sustainability of birth centers and midwifery reimbursement. Commissioners stressed the importance of better coordination among OB-GYN, pediatric, infant mental health, home visiting, and clinical providers, with some suggesting a stronger role for clinicians and perinatal mental health organizations such as PSI of Massachusetts. The meeting ended with a motion and vote to create a biweekly information digest, with urgent items to be shared by email, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what we're focused on today, of course, is policy and budget.
• We're bringing you some information here about budget coordination and policy development.
• My budget has to—the math has to add up. Why would a student need to exit my campus easily?
• Again, the deadline that was set in that budget bill was for, I think, July 1st of 2023.
• We really need to have them in the current kind of budget situation we're in.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education met to hear an informational presentation from the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development on Missouri’s higher education funding model and related workforce trends. Commissioner Bennett Boggs described the department’s mission, its data and workforce partnerships, and the need to better align postsecondary education with Missouri’s labor market, noting projections that 65% of jobs in the 2030s will require education beyond high school. He emphasized that the current “base-plus” funding approach dates to 1992 and no longer reflects demographic, technological, or economic changes, and said the department wants every institution to remain healthy and serve its region. Deputy Commissioner Leroye Wade outlined a proposed cost-based, performance-informed funding framework with four main parts: fixed costs, variable program costs, performance measures, and a mechanism for targeted legislative investment. He said the model is intended to be data-driven, transparent, and more responsive to enrollment changes, program mix, completion outcomes, workforce needs, and collaboration among institutions. He also reviewed the history of the effort, including a 2022 legislative appropriation for a study, a 2023 report, and subsequent interim and bill activity. Committee members asked about educational attainment goals, the P20W longitudinal data system, persistence and completion rates, and how the model would account for mission differences and student outcomes. Representative John Black, sponsor of the bill discussed, said the legislation is meant to move Missouri toward a 21st-century higher education funding system by tying appropriations more closely to state goals and institutional performance rather than continuing automatic across-the-board increases. He said the department’s work and the bill are intended to prompt continued refinement of the model, and he warned that declining enrollments and tight state finances make reform urgent. No votes were taken; the committee heard the presentation, allowed brief public comment, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the request, and actually a few years ago, this was put in the budget for the software for this
• And then it was either that year or the next year that they appropriated in the budget the funds for
• And the last thing I saw was a report from them in budget, which included some of these numbers, which
• And then my second question is, and this might be more of a budget question...
• And no, I don't know why we would dedicate budget funds and then not see follow-through.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if you look at some of the old budgets, sometimes they have slogans on our budgets that are promoting
• I'll just be frank, the executive budget every year. Last year, we had a bill to...
• The executive budget every year. Last year, we had a bill to address the executive budget.
• I really wanted to focus on the budget without mentioning the governor by name.
• He's putting it on the budget. And then it's being promoted in the committees.

Summary: The committee first considered RS 3312, a proposal from Representative Scott aimed at limiting the use of slogans, logos, or similar branding on state budget materials when those messages could be used for political promotion. Members raised drafting questions and concerns that the language was confusing and could unintentionally affect official documents and correspondence. On motion, the committee voted to return the RS to the sponsor for reworking. The committee then took up RS 3314, which would improve transparency in Idaho’s civil asset forfeiture system by requiring local reports to also be sent to the state controller for storage and publication. Scott said the bill would centralize data, not change forfeiture procedures, and suggested changing the reporting deadline from February to April to match existing local reporting timelines. Members asked about the types of property covered and the fiscal impact, and the committee approved the RS with the date change. Next, the committee considered RS 33141, another transparency measure that would add a penalty for state agencies that knowingly or recklessly fail to report executed MOUs, MOAs, contracts, and related agreements to the state controller. Scott described the bill as a response to agencies that were not complying with existing reporting law and said enforcement would likely come through legislative and appropriations action. Members raised concerns about ambiguity, possible liability, and whether the penalty should be tied more clearly to notice and cure provisions. The committee voted to return the RS to the sponsor for further work. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 504, which would address lottery syndicates by limiting bulk lottery ticket purchases and allowing the Lottery Commission to deny winnings tied to prohibited bulk-buy activity. Supporters said the bill was intended to stop organized groups, often from out of state, from buying large numbers of tickets and taking winnings out of Idaho. Questions focused on enforcement, the $5,000 purchase limit, and whether the rule would affect ordinary groups or in-state entities. After testimony, the committee voted to send HB 504 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is also a null and void clause making the bill null and void unless funded in the budget.
• And this bill over the outlook budget period would be a $4.9 million fiscal impact.
• And this bill over the outlook budget period would be $4.9 million fiscal impact.
• our situation with the budget today.
• situation with the budget today.

Bills: HB1795, HB1634, HB1662, HB1683

Keywords: restraint, isolation, public schools, educational programs, student rights, mental health, behavioral support, education, school districts, student assistance, education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason why it was originally under budget, or under the $250,000 floor... ...originally under budget
• We've unfortunately had some projects recently that have come in over budget where we've had to come
• We've seen that in northwest Arkansas, so a big part of that is just trying to have a budget that we
• Yes, just a clarification here: the electrical contract originally was budgeted at $10,000 and it was
• I guess the first question will be, do we anticipate future budgets, federal budgets, having funding

Summary: The review subcommittee met to consider a supplemental agenda, methods of finance, an alternative delivery project, discretionary grants, and a large slate of construction, out-of-state, and in-state contracts. The supplemental item was a $2.6 million out-of-state contract with Tyler Technologies for a mobile app that would let citizens access state services through a single sign-on, initially for DFA vehicle and licensing services, with possible expansion to other agencies. Members also reviewed five methods of finance, including University of Arkansas projects for roof and cooling tower replacements, a new $100 million academic classroom building at U of A Fayetteville, a police department renovation at UA Fort Smith, and a boiler/chiller replacement at Hope-Texarkana. Questions focused on project timing, why some items were being reviewed after work had begun, and the high estimated cost of the Fayetteville classroom building; DFA explained that projects under $250,000 are not reviewed and that the larger project was still in design and would later seek a guaranteed maximum price. The committee also reviewed two DHS discretionary grants: one for targeted youth advocacy in southwest Arkansas and another adding $582,000 for family-centered treatment training and implementation. In the services contract section, members discussed construction-related contracts, including an ASMSA electrical scope increase tied to three-phase power requirements and the U of A Fayetteville architect contract for the classroom building. Out-of-state contracts included major items such as ACT Education’s $17 million amendment to provide required pre-ACT testing for 9th and 10th graders, a $12.5 million DFA contract for rural health transformation grant management, DHS’s $16.5 million EBT services contract with updated chip-card and fraud-prevention features, and ADH’s special procurement for the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The committee also reviewed U of A system consulting contracts for financial advisory and sponsorship strategy work, with university officials saying the outside expertise was needed for specialized planning and revenue-generation efforts. In-state contracts covered corrections reentry services, nursing board investigations, foster care and child welfare services, DHS office janitorial work, emergency management radio system expansion, veterans’ home nursing staffing, and UAMS grants consulting. A lengthy exchange centered on the Department of Corrections’ reentry housing contract, with members pressing officials about vacant beds and urging fuller use of the program, while corrections staff said placements depend on screening and eligibility. Another discussion addressed the balance between out-of-state and in-state contracting, with a member noting the large dollar volume going to out-of-state vendors and asking whether Arkansas vendors receive any preference; State Procurement said current law does not allow an in-state preference. The committee approved the supplemental agenda, the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, the discretionary grants, and the contract lists, and then received routine reports and an emergency action report before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yeah, you know, higher education is a pretty budget-heavy committee.
• Parts of it did move forward in our children and families budget.
• . budget. budget.
• Um, but I think certainly we're going to be setting the table for 2027 as we pass another budget then
• </c> sort of how the budget situation looks. sort of how the budget situation looks.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So just one bill tonight, and that is 2014, the budget for the Industrial Commission.
• And then we got the bank in North Dakota and their budget. And you can see that.
• So we've got a total of $6 million in litigation funds in this budget.
• Office of Management and Budget shall transfer for the energy research.
• Well, committee, that was our final budget.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2014, the budget for the Industrial Commission, with Representative Kempenich walking through the agency’s major components: the administrative office, Bank of North Dakota, housing finance, Department of Mineral Resources, and the State Mill and Elevator. He described mostly special-fund operations, including bond payments, economic development programs, the rail loan program, the Rebuilder’s Loan Program, housing incentive funding, abandoned well reclamation work, lignite research, litigation reserves, and a capacity purchase arrangement for a future natural gas pipeline. He also explained several one-time funding items, such as grid resiliency grants, housing-related transfers from the Strategic Investment Fund, and enhanced oil recovery funding repurposed from a prior salt cavern study. Members asked about the reduction in housing incentive funding from the Senate version, the use of one-time Strategic Investment Fund dollars for ongoing housing programs, and whether a trigger should be added to increase housing funding later. Kempenich said no trigger was discussed and emphasized that housing needs vary widely across the state. Another exchange focused on the enhanced oil recovery grant program, which he said would be driven largely by the Energy and Environmental Research Center and would use repurposed funds. A longer discussion covered the natural gas pipeline capacity purchase, including its purpose, possible routes, and the idea that the state would be buying capacity rather than immediately building a pipeline. The committee adopted Amendment 25.0181.0207 on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then passed HB 2014 as amended on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. Representative Kempenich was designated to carry the bill. The chair then noted this was the final budget hearing for the committee, with one bill remaining to be heard later.

Transcript Highlights:

• talks, if you ever get to budget talks?
• Um, well, we hope to get to budget talks at some point, and I appreciate you bringing that up.
• We need to get to Minnesota budget talks right now, and we need colleagues to make that happen.
• spending but was put into an ongoing budget.
• So those are different things that we're looking at when it actually comes to the budget.

Keywords: 1183, house